The Healthy Caribbean Coalition [HCC] and the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Barbados, invited Marie Beach — the Department of Health, Healthy Schools Coordinator — to participate in the “Beyond the Call to Action Event: Towards School Policies in support of Childhood Obesity Prevention” held on Universal Children’s Day, 20th November 2018, in Barbados.

Ms. Beach presented on the Bermuda Healthy Schools Programme as a model policy and programme for the region. Ms Beach was selected based on her wealth of experience and valued contributions in the area of childhood obesity prevention. The event was intended to be action-oriented and outcome-focused.

This regional multi-stakeholder event was held in partnership with the Barbados Ministry of Health, the Barbados National NCD Commission, Caribbean Moves, and the University of the West Indies Open Campus.

The goal of the Event was to celebrate the successes of the Healthy Caribbean Coallition Call to Action and to build the capacity of civil society advocates and youth advocates to support the implementation of school-based nutrition and physical activity policies in Barbados and across the region.

Approximately 80 participants attended the event including representatives of HCC member organisations, health and non-health sectors of Government, Caribbean academia; public health institutions, private sector; and youth advocates.

“The Ministry of Health said they are “proud to have been recognized as a leader in the region thanks to Ms Beach’s extensive efforts in making schools healthier places and ensuring young people develop life-long habits that will prevent chronic diseases.”